Hair fasteners and methods of using the same



72] Inventor Doniinlc J. Mercoreila I 12 E. 57 St., New York, New York 10022 [2 1] Appl. No. 631,651 1 [22] Filed 1 April 18, 1967 [4S] Patented Nov. 24, 1970 M [54] HAIR FASTENERS AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME 1 I 8 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs. [52] 'U.S. Cl. 132/46 .[51] Int. Cl. A45d 8/00 1 [50] Field ofSeareh 132/46, 38-40, 9, 7, 49, 32.3;2/174, 1811;4/159 56] References Cited l 1 UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,176,910 3/1916 Lee 132/46 132/46 1,146,934 7/1915 1Giec0811I:IIIIJIIIII:

6 United States Patent 2/1954 Wiiie 3,000,384 9/1961 Pier s Primary ExaminerLouis G. Mancene Assistant ExaminerGregory E. McNeil] Attorney-Steinberg and Blake Patented Nov 24, 1970 3,542,041

v- INVENTOR.

/8 DOMINIC J. MERCORELLA ATTORNEYS HAIR FASTENERS ANDMETHQDS OF USING THE SAME BACKGROUND OF'TI-IE INVENTION The present invention relatesto hair fasteners.

In particular, the present invention relates to hair fasteners designed to be worn .on the head and used for fastening. together a body of hair to form from the body of hair a neat, coherent mass enhancing both the comfort and the appearance of the wearer of the'fastener.

Although fasteners of this general type are indeed well know, they suffer from several drawbacks. In the first place, many known fasteners are difficult to apply. In addition, they do notremain reliably in place, and the amount of hair which can be fastened is limited.- Certain types of fasteners are, in

fact, dangerous since theyhave relativelysharp points and if worn while sleeping, for example, may injure the wearer. In addition, there are known fasteners which do not have a pleasingappearance and do not blend desirably in with the rest of the hair. Furthermore, certain known fasteners make it relatively difficult to provide desirable hair arrangements and toa-ttach to the hair decorative wish to use.

' SUMMARY or THE INVENTION It is accordingly a primary object of the present invention to provide a hair fastener which will avoid the above drawbacks.

. In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a hair fastener which is of anexceedinglysimpleand inexpensive construction and which at the same time can be very easily used in a number of different ways depending upon the effect which it is desired to achieve. I I

Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a hair fastener which can be used either for relatively large or relatively small bodies of hair, with equal effectiveness, which can be very easily applied to and removed from the hair, and which, when worn, will present no danger to the wearer so'that devices which the wearer might the fastener of the invention can even be used, for example, while sleeping',without any hesitation.

In addition, it is an'objec't of the present invention to provide a hair fastener of'the above type which not only is capable of efficiently fastening a body of hair but which in addition makes it possible to arrange the body-f hair in any desired decorative manner, for example, while having the capability of blending into the hair so as to be practically invisible, if

desired.

' In addition, the objects of the present invention include a hairfast ener which may itself be used as a suitable mount for decorative devices or the like which it is desired to wear in the "hair, so that difficulties encountered in connection with connecting decorative devices to the hair are eliminated with the fastener of the invention.

The fastener of the invention includes an elongated endless, stretchable, elasticfilament having a pair-of opposed ends and a pair of elongated, mutually-spaced portions extending between these opposed ends. A pair of flexible tabs are connected to the endless filament at the opposed ends thereof,

and these flexible tabs 'haveexposed. surfaces carrying a releasable fastening means used for fastening the tabs to teach other in overlapping relation after the filament has been placed at least in part around the body of hair. The elastic filament has a color approximating that of the hair, and according to one of the methods of the invention the fastener can be situated on the body of hair with only the filament thereof exposed while the tabs are hidden between the body of hair and the head, thus providing a fastener which blends into the hair BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying-drawings which form part of this application and in which:

FIG. I is a perspective illustration showing one embodiment of a'device' according to the invention worn at the head of the wearer of the device, FIG. 1 also illustrating how the fastener of the invention is used according to one of the methods of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustration, in elevation, of one possible embodiment ofa fastener of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a transverse section, taken alongline 33 of FIG. I in the direction of the arrows and showing, at an enlarged scale as compared to FIG. '1, how the fastener coacts with the body of hair;

FIG. 4 illustrates, also in a transverse section with respect to the body ofhair, another method of using the device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective illustration of a body of hair fastened by another embodiment of a fastener of the invention; I

FIG. 6 is a transverse section taken through the body of hair of FIG. 5 and showing the fastener of FIG. 5 at an enlarged scale as compared to' FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 illustrates one step in another method of using the fastener of FIG. 2} and FIG. 8 illustrates a step in the method subsequent to that of vention which is illustratedtherein includes an elongated,

. endless, stretchable elastic-filament 12 having a pair of opposed ends 14 and 16 and a pair of elongated portions 18 and 20 extending between the ends 14 and I6. The filament 12 may be rendered endless as by having the free ends 22 thereof fastened togetherin any suitable way, or it may be manufactured in the form of an endless filament.

and is practically invisible. On the other hand, it is possible,

according to another method of the invention, to reverse the position of the fastener so' that the tabs are exposed, and in this case the tabs themselves may serve to mount on the hair a decorative device which covers the tabs and which at the same time is supported thereby. According to one method of the invention the hair extends between the pair of elongated por tions of the filament and the overlapping tabs without passing A pair of flexible tabs 24 and 26, made of any nonstretchable fabric, for example, are connected: to the opposed ends of the filament 12. Thus, the tab 24 is connected to the end 16 of the filament 12, while the tab 26 is connected to the end 14 of the filament. These tabs 24 and 2.6 respectively have exposed outer surfaces 281and 30 which carry a releasable fastening means by which the tabs can be releasably fastened to each otherat their exposed surfaces. In the illustrated example the releasable fastening means includes structure incorporated into closures'commercially identified by the trademark -Velcro. For this purpose the tab 26 carries at its exposed surface 30 projecting relatively stiff, looped members 32, while the tab 24 carries at its exposed surface 28 relatively short fibers or'yarns 34whichproject from the surface 28 and provide it with a fuzzytexture. As is well known, with this type of closure the stiff loop members 32 tightly hold the yarns or short fibers 34 which become intertwined with the stiff loops 32 simply by being pressed between the latter, so that an extremely secure fastening resistant to longitudinal displacement of the fastened elements with respect for each other is provided. On the other hand, in order to release the fastened structure it is only necessary to peel the tabs 24 and 26 apart from each other.

As is particularly apparent from FIG. 3, each of the tabs 24 and 26 is itself in the form of an endless flat loop so that each tab has a pair of walls located directly next to each other and a pair of opposed closed ends at the fold lines where the opposed walls join each other. The end 16 of the filament 12 extends through the looped tab 24 at the end 36 of the latter,

while the end 14 of the filament 12 extends through the looped tab 26 at the end 38 thereofl The tab 24 is provided with a line of stitches 40, applied with any suitable sewing machine, and thisline of stitches forms at the end 36 an elongated tubular portion ofthe tab 24 through which the filament I2 extends, In much the-same way the tab 26 is formed in the region ofits end 38 with a line of stitches 42, providing the tab 26 with a transverse tubular portion at its end 38, and the endless filament extends through the latter tubular portion also. In fact the stitches 42 include a lateral extension extending transversely across the looped portion and across the ad joining ends 22 of the filament so as to fasten these ends 22 to each other.

Each of the tabs 24 and 26 initially has the configuration of an elongated tape or band which carries on one of itsfaces part of the releasable fastening means 32,34. Thus, the tab 24 initially is in the form of an elongated tape having on one face the short yarns 34, and the tab is folded upon itself so that it has slightly overlapping ends which form the flat loop shown in FIG. 3, and the line of stitches 40 may also be used to connect together the overlapping ends of the folded tape. Of course, the tape is folded so that the fuzzy fastening structure 34 is at the exterior of the looped tab 24.

- In the same way, the tab 26 initially is in the form of an elongated tape carrying the Velcro loops 32 on one of its faces, and this tape is folded upon itself to have the flattened condition shown in FIG. 3, and the slightly overlapping ends of the folded tape are also fastened to each other by way of the line of stitches 42.

As a result of this construction. the part 34 of the releasable fastening mean carried bythe tab 24 is at both of the exposed side surfaces thereof, while the part 32 of the releasable fastening means which is carried by the tab 26 is also at both ofthe exposed side surfaces thereof.

In the embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in FIGS. and 6, the elongated, endless, stretchable filament 50 is simply stitched at one of its opposed ends 52 to one end ofa single-layer elongated flexible tab 54, also made of nonstretchable fabric and carrying at its outer surface which is directed upwardly in FIG. 6 the fuzzy'coating formed by the relatively short fibers corresponding to the fastening structure 34 of FIG. 2. The tab 54 which is fastened at one end to the end 52 of the endless filament 50 has an opposed, free,unattached end 56.

The other tab of the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 includes a flexible layer of nonstretchable fabric 58 carrying the Velcro loops 60 only at its inner surface, as viewed in FIG. 6. The outer surface of the tape 58 is covered by a layer of hair 62, the strands of which extend longitudinally along the tape 58. The ends of the strands of hair of the layer 62 are fixed, as by any suitable adhesive or the like, to a pair of transverse, narrow, small tapes 64 and 66 which are fastened to the same surface of the band 58 as that to which the looped fastener elements 60 are attached. The layer of hair 62 is long enough so that is can be folded around the ends of the inner layer 58 to have the end tapes 64 and 66 attached to the tape 58 by transverse lines of stitches 68 and 70, respectively. However, be-

I fore the tape 66 is fastened by the stitches 70 to the band or tape 58, the hair layer is passed through and around the end of the filament 50 whichis opposed to its end 52, so that in this way the layer of hair 62 additionally serves to connect one of the tabs, namely the tab 58, 62 to one of the opposed ends of the endless filament 50.

The above-described structures of the invention can be used in a number of different ways, in accordance with different methods of the invention. Thus, as is indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3, it is possible to place the fastener of FIG. 2 on the body of hair A in such a way that this body of hair passes between the pair of elongated filament portions 18 and and the fastened, overlapping tabs 24 and 26 which are fastened together by the fastening means 32, 34. Thus, in this case, the wearer will simply place the elongated portions 18 and 20 of the filament around the body of hair A and fasten the tabs 24 and 26 to each other by pressing them together, and it will be noted particularly from FIG. I that with this method only the elongated filament portions 18 and 20 are exposed while the tabs 24 and 26 are hidden between the body A and the head of the wearer. The filament 12 is given a color which closely approximates that of the hair, so that since only the small-diameter, thin elongated filament portions 18 and 20 are exposed, the entire device 10 is substantially hidden and blends unobtrusively into the hair.

However, it is also possible to mount the fastener 10 on the body ofhair in the same way as described above in connection with FIGS. 1 and 3but in a reverse position where the tabs 24 and 26 are exposed, and the fastener is shown in this position in FIG. 4. With the tabs thus located at the exterior of the body of hair, they are available for fastening to the hair any desired hair-decorating device such as the ribbon shown in FIG. 4. It will be noted that either with the method of FIG. 3 or that of FIG. 4 the Velcro fastener elements 32 are always situated at the outer side of the tab 24 since the tab 24 will invariably be located between the tab 26 and the body of hair. As a result of part of the Velcro is itself exposed and may be used for fastening a device 80 to the hair, or the tabs are simply available to be engaged by any hairpin or the like for the purpose of mounting the decorative device 80 on the hair. In addition, it will be noted that this device 80 serves to cover the tabs so that they are not undesirably exposed.

The embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 will be used in precisely the same way as the embodiment of FIG. 4 but in this case only the exposed layer of hair 62 will be visible. The layer of hair 62 is provided with a color which closely approximates the color of the rest of the hair, so that with this embodiment also the fastener of the invention blends into the body of hair and is practically invisible.

According to the method illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 the body of hair A is passed through the space between the elongated portions 18 and 20 of the filament 12. Then the filament is twisted, as shown in FIG. 8, so as to tightly grip the body of hair, and then the tabs are brought together in overlapping relation and are fastened to each other by the fastening means 32, 34.

Thus, once the endless stretchable filament 12 has been twisted as shown in FIG. 8, the tabs 24 and 26 may be brought together either behind the body of hair A between the latter and the head to be hidden behind the body A or in front of the body 8 so as to be available for mounting a decorative device such as the device 80 of FIG. 4. Because the fastening means 32, 34 is situated over the entire exposed surface area of the tab, the twisting of the filament 12 will be immaterial with respect to the connecting together of the flexible tabs by way of the fastening means which is distributed over the entire exposed surface area of the tabs,

One of the advantages derived from the method of FIGS. 7 and 8 resides not only the capability of twisting the filament 12 so that it can accommodate even bodies A of relatively small thickness, but in addition with this method the filament 12 forms loops or openings 82 and 84 with the ends of the tabs. When the tabs are fastened to each other hair can be drawn through one or both of the loops 82 or 84 so as to provide a very decorative hair arrangement with a looped portion of the body of hair A, for example, projecting laterally from one side thereof through one of the loops 82 or 84, or, if desired, through both of these loops.

It is thus apparent that with the above-described structure ofthe invention not only is an exceedingly simple, inexpensive fastener provided which is safe to use, which blends into the hair, and which can be readily accommodated to any body of hair, but in addition the fastener of the invention can be used in a number of different ways, according to the different methods of the invention described above, making it possible to achieve various desired effects. For example, in addition to the above-described features, where the method of FIGS. 1 and 3 is used, a suitable hair piece can be attached to the tab 26 between the latter and the head projecting downwardly the fastenerof the invention serves the additional function of making it possible to fasten the hair piece to the hair at a location which is not readily visible tothe casual observer.

l. A-hair fastener comprising only one elongated, endless, stretchable, elastic filament consisting-of a pair of transversely extending opposed ends and a pair of substantially longer, lon-' taining said elongated portions spaced from each other and respectively having outer exposedsurfaces, and releasable fastening means carried bly said tabs'at said outer; exposed surfaces thereof for releasably fasteningsaid tabs together in overlapping relationship after said elongated portions of said endless filament have beenplaced at least in part around a body of hainwhich is to befastened, so that when said tabs are fastened together by said releasable fastening means the body of hair will be retained by said filament and tabs.

2. The combination ofclaim l and wherein said filament has a color approximating that of the hair which is to be fastened so that the elongated portions of said filament can be situated at the body of hair at an exposed visible location substantially blending into the body of hair.

3. A hair fastener comprising an elongated, endless,- stretchable, elastic filament having a pair of transversely extending opposed'ends and'a pair of substantially longer, iongitudinally extending elongated portions spaced from each faces thereof for releasably fastening 'sai'd tabs together in overlapping. relationship after said-elongated portions of said f endless filament have been placed at least in part around a body of hair which is to be fastened, so that when said tabs are fastened together by said releasable fastening means the body of hair will be retained by said filamentand tabs, one of said tabs when releasably fastened to the other of said tabs being directed away from said other tab and having a color approximating that of the hair around which the filament extends.

4. The combination of claim 3 and wherein said layer of hair has opposed ends fastened to said one tab, and one of said ends of said layer of hair extending around one of said opposed ends of said filament for connecting the latter to said one tab. 5. The combination of claim 1 and wherein said tabs are respectively, in the form of endless loops through which said opposed ends of said filament respectively extend.

, 6. The combination of claim 5 and wherein said tab loops respectively have ends adjacent said filament and through which said opposed ends of the latter respectively extend, and said loops respectively being provided with lines of stitches extending across said tabs at said ends thereof through which said opposed ends of said filament respectively extend to form from said tabs elongated tubular portions through which said opposed ends of said filament respectively extend.

7. The combination of claim 1 and wherein said releasable fastening means includes a plurality of relatively stiff, short looped members fixed to and projecting from the entire outer exposed surface of one of said tabs and a plurality of short yarns fixed to and projecting from the entire exposed surface of the other of said tabs to engage said stiff, looped members so as to be held thereby.

8. A method of fastening a body of hair with a fastener which is .to be worn on the head and which includes an endless stretchable elastic f lamenthaving opposed ends and elongated spaced portions extending between said ends and which also includes a pair of opposed tabs connected to said opposed ends of said filament and respectively having exposed surfaces carrying a releasable fastening means by which the tabs can be releasable fastened together in overlapping relationship, comprising the steps of placing the elongated portions of the filament at least in part around the body of hair which is to be fastened and bringing together the tabs into overlapping relationship and actuating said releasable fastening means to fasten said tabs together, and situating the fastener on the body of the hair at a position withrespect thereto which will expose at an outer' part of the body of fastened hair a first predetermined part of the fastener and which will hide between the body of hair and the head of the wearer a second situated at the outside of said other tab and having an outer.

surface directed away from said other tab, and a layer of hair carried bysaid one tab coyering said surface thereof which is predetermined part of the fastener, the body of hair extending through the space-between said elongated portions of said filament, twisting the elongated portions of the filament, andthen bringing the tabs together in overlappingrelation and actuating said releasable fastening means. 

